GTA 6 could be world's first 'AAAAA game', setting new benchmarks for scale, technology, and cultural impact in gaming.
Grand Theft Auto VI has already been touted as one of the most ambitious video games of all time. Now, industry veteran Nigel Lowrie, co-founder of Devolver Digital, has gone a step further by calling it the world’s first “AAAAA game.” This bold classification goes far beyond the traditional AAA or even "AAAA" labels, cementing GTA 6 as a cultural and technological milestone before release.
What Makes GTA 6 an 'AAAAA Game'?
According to Lowrie, GTA 6 is larger in scope, scale, and cultural significance than anything the industry has seen before. In an interview, he explained: “There are AAA games and then there’s AAAA games. I’d argue GTA 6 is potentially the AAAAA game; it’s just bigger than anything else, both in scale and the attention it demands.”
This hype is backed by staggering facts. With a rumored $1 billion development budget and nearly 10 years in the making, Rockstar’s latest title is expected to outclass not only rival open-world titles but also compete as the biggest entertainment release of all time.
GTA 6’s Scale and Innovation
The game is set in the fictional state of Leonida, heavily inspired by Florida and featuring areas like Vice City. What separates GTA 6 from previous installments are its massive technological leaps:
- Players will reportedly be able to enter 40% of all buildings, compared to the relatively small number in past titles.
- Dynamic roads that can be destroyed during battles, with NPC workers repairing them in real-time.
- A living, breathing ecosystem where smaller shops, interiors, and environments are explorable and interactive.
- Highly advanced AI that ensures NPCs react more realistically to the chaos unfolding around them.
These features make the world more immersive than anything Rockstar has attempted before, aligning perfectly with the "AAAAA" designation.
Industry Shifts Around GTA 6
Interestingly, GTA 6’s upcoming launch is already forcing other publishers to rethink release schedules. CEO Adam Lieb of Gamesight noted that Rockstar’s blockbuster is such a dominating presence that developers in unrelated genres are reluctant to compete for the spotlight.
Lowrie himself admitted that Devolver Digital considered delaying some of their game launches to avoid going head-to-head with GTA 6’s release. “It’s blinding when it comes to the calendar,” he said, highlighting just how much weight this single release carries over the entire gaming landscape.
GTA 6 isn’t just about a larger map or flashier graphics; it’s also about redefining entertainment culture itself. Rumors suggest Rockstar is working on "Project ROME," a system that may evolve GTA 6 into a form of metaverse. Leaks even hint at music artists being able to upload their tracks directly into the game, opening up new ways for creators to merge with digital worlds.
With GTA 6 expected to release in 2026, many insiders and fans believe it may become the largest media launch in history, surpassing films, music albums, and even past Rockstar titles like GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2.
Overall, the statement that “GTA 6 could be the world’s first 'AAAAA game’” isn’t just hype; it’s supported by Rockstar’s decade of development, billion-dollar investment, and game-changing ambitions.